Jason Hammel (2-1, 3.55 ERA) and Jimmy Nelson (1-2, 4.03 ERA) take the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Chicago Cubs (13-9) and the Milwaukee Brewers (6-18) at Wrigley Field. The Brewers won the last game 6-1 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 2:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 3 and can be seen on FSN-WI and WGN.
Hammel is 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA in his appearances against the Brewers, and goes up against a below-average Milwaukee offense which is batting just .225 this season. Anthony Rizzo (.324, 17 Rs, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Against the Cubs, Nelson is 0-2 with a 5.02 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts. Jean Segura (.298, 9 Rs, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 4 for 5 yesterday with one run, two RBIs, and one stolen base.
Chicago is a -154 favorite against Milwaukee and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is unavailable as of now. The Cubs have an overall money line of +427 and a record as the favorite of 7-5. Chicago is an impressive 3-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. Chicago is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 25 bases. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Cubs, who have a team ERA of only 3.53. The Cubs are the second-best team in the NL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 7.7 hits per game to their opponents this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Cubs, who rank second in the NL in strikeouts per game with 9.0.
As for their opponent, Milwaukee is coming in with an overall money line of -1,392 and a disappointing record of 3-11 as the underdog. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 2-6 record, and a 3-7 record SU. Offensively, the Brewers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.1 runs per game by averaging 4.0 during that stretch.
The Cubs have a great 11-6 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Nelson takes the mound. Hammel (RHP) will be on the hill against the Brewers, who have a 5-14 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
Chicago recorded at least two errors for the fifth time this season.
When the Cubs play into extra innings, they have a 4-0 record. The Brewers are 0-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Milwaukee batters brought in a solid nine hits last game. Chicago has a record of 5-6 when their opponents get that many hits or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Brewers are 4-2. The Cubs have an 8-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 27th, Milwaukee sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 77 this season. Chicago ranks in the bottom half at 19th with 91.
Ranking 28th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 47 this season. Chicago ranks in the top half at 11th with 77.
The Cubs are 9-2 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Brewers are 5-5 when they hit at least one homer.
